So let’s talk possible back line replacements/injury subs and permutations/combos:

Murray off- straight swop for Marmion.

Sexton off- straight swop for Joey.

Aki off- tricky, no direct sub or same type of player. Possibilities- Sexton to 12, Joey on at 10. Second playmaker on pitch. Stockdale to centre with Ringrose, Larmour on wing. (Who plays 12/13?)Larmour to 13 (he says it’s his favourite position), Ringrose to 12. (A waste of Ringrose?)

Kearney off- all 30 players open up a beer. But seriously:Joey on. Second playmaker and broken field runner. Larmour on. Red panty night.

I hate to disillusion you but if Ringrose or Aki go down I’m fairly sure Earls will go straight to 13, which nobody wants to see, but there is no way Joe is going to trust Stockdale in one of the most important and most difficult defensive positions on the park.

I don't trust players about anything after Darren Cave said Matthew Rea was the one to watch coming through for Ulster.

In this first autobiography BOD said England’s Ollie Smith was one to watch. I didn’t/don’t know much about Ollie Smith but I remember the praise, and also remember hearing very little about Ollie Smith in the intervening years.

Ruddock said Murphy was one of those players who was all arms and elbows and physically hard to play against.. something along those lines.

That was one of the things he said. I can't remember his exact words but he seemed to rate him quite highly.

Seemingly he like’s a good maul too. How he is able to manage a medicine career and pro rugby is partically down to his strict discipline and excellent time efficiency. Obviously a very sharpe individual.

I don't trust players about anything after Darren Cave said Matthew Rea was the one to watch coming through for Ulster.

In this first autobiography BOD said England’s Ollie Smith was one to watch. I didn’t/don’t know much about Ollie Smith but I remember the praise, and also remember hearing very little about Ollie Smith in the intervening years.

Just back from Ravenhill. Not a lot to report in truth albeit Schmidt has apparently some input into our new coaching hire and Logan is giving a interview in the coming days (about what wasn't specified)

I don't trust players about anything after Darren Cave said Matthew Rea was the one to watch coming through for Ulster.

In this first autobiography BOD said England’s Ollie Smith was one to watch. I didn’t/don’t know much about Ollie Smith but I remember the praise, and also remember hearing very little about Ollie Smith in the intervening years.

Decent player who never kicked on. Does have a Lion's test cap (and try) so BOD was hardly talking completely out of his arse. I presume that was his bio after 2005?

Just back from Ravenhill. Not a lot to report in truth albeit Schmidt has apparently some input into our new coaching hire and Logan is giving a interview in the coming days (about what wasn't specified)

Just back from Ravenhill. Not a lot to report in truth albeit Schmidt has apparently some input into our new coaching hire and Logan is giving a interview in the coming days (about what wasn't specified)

Did nobody ask whats going to happen to the top shaggers if acquitted?

Just back from Ravenhill. Not a lot to report in truth albeit Schmidt has apparently some input into our new coaching hire and Logan is giving a interview in the coming days (about what wasn't specified)

Jackson and Olding?Van Der Merwe?Who is replacing Piutau?Why is the pack garbage?

Just back from Ravenhill. Not a lot to report in truth albeit Schmidt has apparently some input into our new coaching hire and Logan is giving a interview in the coming days (about what wasn't specified)

Did he say who was running the review?

Apparently its an outside agency but they will report to the Management committee (at least i think i got that right). The girl kept saying thats they have to operate within the structures which the IRFU allow so this is doing that. Maybe Logan goes but most blazers hang around i honestly dont know. A lot of ones slabbering (rightly) about Logan but after the fourth or fifth time when you knew they weren't going to say anything of note on him people really should have moved on.

Just back from Ravenhill. Not a lot to report in truth albeit Schmidt has apparently some input into our new coaching hire and Logan is giving a interview in the coming days (about what wasn't specified)

Did he say who was running the review?

Apparently its an outside agency but they will report to the Management committee (at least i think i got that right). The girl kept saying thats they have to operate within the structures which the IRFU allow so this is doing that. Maybe Logan goes but most blazers hang around i honestly dont know. A lot of ones slabbering (rightly) about Logan but after the fourth or fifth time when you knew they weren't going to say anything of note on him people really should have moved on.

The whole Logan angle has been a bit of a dead end for me, I've always doubted whether he has much impact beyond the running of the commercial aspects of things.

That the review is being run externally is good, that they're responding to the board and not the IRFU, not so good.

I don't trust players about anything after Darren Cave said Matthew Rea was the one to watch coming through for Ulster.

In this first autobiography BOD said England’s Ollie Smith was one to watch. I didn’t/don’t know much about Ollie Smith but I remember the praise, and also remember hearing very little about Ollie Smith in the intervening years.

Decent player who never kicked on. Does have a Lion's test cap (and try) so BOD was hardly talking completely out of his arse. I presume that was his bio after 2005?

Just back from Ravenhill. Not a lot to report in truth albeit Schmidt has apparently some input into our new coaching hire and Logan is giving a interview in the coming days (about what wasn't specified)

Jackson and Olding?Van Der Merwe?Who is replacing Piutau?Why is the pack garbage?

He spoke about Jackson and Olding at the start so no questions really on it. Basically just highlighted how its been very difficult on the squad and when asked if all pros drink that much he sort of said thats maybe a generational thing. The sense was that no signings will be seriously looked at without new coach. That seems to be the focus.VDM- basically stated that as a project there was limited options and the video they had of him was primarily lions based when they were a good scrummaging unit. Was pressed on VDM and Deysel and stated they are both aware that their performances aren't good enough but he didnt say what would happen if that continued.

Mentioned not just the talent in leinster but the competitiveness that permeates the squad, especially when bringing the younger guys through. Says that even in scenarios where the talent may not be massively different he says the culture of competition that Leinster have created leads to a serious gap when entering the pro ranks.

He broke down the squad into a few groups. NIQS - basically we are 1 from 4. (we are allowed 5 including 1 project he says). Piutau class. Coetzee unlucky, other two not good enough.

Over 30's - these guys need to be first 23 players due to experience and we have 1 thirty-something who matches that, Best.26-29 - says these are the years the academy or Ulster f**ked up bringing no one through really. Should be players in or approaching peak and again making the first 23. He said there were 2 guys. I assume one is Marshall. Dont know who else.

Under 25's - Good proportion of our best players are young so its positive but wants us to siphon off journeymen or deadwood (not his words) so that its actually the academy guys augmenting the first team in nearly all 2/3rd choice positions and not the squad fillers.

Just back from Ravenhill. Not a lot to report in truth albeit Schmidt has apparently some input into our new coaching hire and Logan is giving a interview in the coming days (about what wasn't specified)

Jackson and Olding?Van Der Merwe?Who is replacing Piutau?Why is the pack garbage?

He spoke about Jackson and Olding at the start so no questions really on it. Basically just highlighted how its been very difficult on the squad and when asked if all pros drink that much he sort of said thats maybe a generational thing. The sense was that no signings will be seriously looked at without new coach. That seems to be the focus.VDM- basically stated that as a project there was limited options and the video they had of him was primarily lions based when they were a good scrummaging unit. Was pressed on VDM and Deysel and stated they are both aware that their performances aren't good enough but he didnt say what would happen if that continued.

Mentioned not just the talent in leinster but the competitiveness that permeates the squad, especially when bringing the younger guys through. Says that even in scenarios where the talent may not be massively different he says the culture of competition that Leinster have created leads to a serious gap when entering the pro ranks.

He broke down the squad into a few groups. NIQS - basically we are 1 from 4. (we are allowed 5 including 1 project he says). Piutau class. Coetzee unlucky, other two not good enough.

Over 30's - these guys need to be first 23 players due to experience and we have 1 thirty-something who matches that, Best.26-29 - says these are the years the academy or Ulster f**ked up bringing no one through really. Should be players in or approaching peak and again making the first 23. He said there were 2 guys. I assume one is Marshall. Dont know who else.

Under 25's - Good proportion of our best players are young so its positive but wants us to siphon off journeymen or deadwood (not his words) so that its actually the academy guys augmenting the first team in nearly all 2/3rd choice positions and not the squad fillers.

Said next season would be a slog aswell.

That should get season ticket sales up

In fairness to Bryn it must have taken a fair amount of balls to face the angry mob, and his answers seem to lack the usual bullshit we are used to from Kiss and Logan.

We just need to base the squad around the young uns and not the Diacks/Ross'es/Warwicks of this world.

Just back from Ravenhill. Not a lot to report in truth albeit Schmidt has apparently some input into our new coaching hire and Logan is giving a interview in the coming days (about what wasn't specified)

Jackson and Olding?Van Der Merwe?Who is replacing Piutau?Why is the pack garbage?

He spoke about Jackson and Olding at the start so no questions really on it. Basically just highlighted how its been very difficult on the squad and when asked if all pros drink that much he sort of said thats maybe a generational thing. The sense was that no signings will be seriously looked at without new coach. That seems to be the focus.VDM- basically stated that as a project there was limited options and the video they had of him was primarily lions based when they were a good scrummaging unit. Was pressed on VDM and Deysel and stated they are both aware that their performances aren't good enough but he didnt say what would happen if that continued.

Mentioned not just the talent in leinster but the competitiveness that permeates the squad, especially when bringing the younger guys through. Says that even in scenarios where the talent may not be massively different he says the culture of competition that Leinster have created leads to a serious gap when entering the pro ranks.

He broke down the squad into a few groups. NIQS - basically we are 1 from 4. (we are allowed 5 including 1 project he says). Piutau class. Coetzee unlucky, other two not good enough.

Over 30's - these guys need to be first 23 players due to experience and we have 1 thirty-something who matches that, Best.26-29 - says these are the years the academy or Ulster f**ked up bringing no one through really. Should be players in or approaching peak and again making the first 23. He said there were 2 guys. I assume one is Marshall. Dont know who else.

Under 25's - Good proportion of our best players are young so its positive but wants us to siphon off journeymen or deadwood (not his words) so that its actually the academy guys augmenting the first team in nearly all 2/3rd choice positions and not the squad fillers.

Said next season would be a slog aswell.

That should get season ticket sales up

In fairness to Bryn it must have taken a fair amount of balls to face the angry mob, and his answers seem to lack the usual bullshit we are used to from Kiss and Logan.

We just need to base the squad around the young uns and not the Diacks/Ross'es/Warwicks of this world.

He broke down the squad into a few groups. NIQS - basically we are 1 from 4. (we are allowed 5 including 1 project he says). Piutau class. Coetzee unlucky, other two not good enough.

Over 30's - these guys need to be first 23 players due to experience and we have 1 thirty-something who matches that, Best.26-29 - says these are the years the academy or Ulster f**ked up bringing no one through really. Should be players in or approaching peak and again making the first 23. He said there were 2 guys. I assume one is Marshall. Dont know who else.

Under 25's - Good proportion of our best players are young so its positive but wants us to siphon off journeymen or deadwood (not his words) so that its actually the academy guys augmenting the first team in nearly all 2/3rd choice positions and not the squad fillers.

Said next season would be a slog aswell.

Sounds familiar....

Quote:

We’ve referenced Toulouse’s idealised squad breakdown before – one-third foreigners, one-third French players from other clubs, one-third Espoirs from the youth system – but Irish squads have specific limitations in recruiting compared to their French or English counterparts. And no province [or franchise, or region, or club] can get everything right with their player retention, or even the day-to-day management of personnel. Leinster decided that Tadhg Beirne wasn’t worth the candle and let him take the ferry to Holyhead, while Munster successfully contrived to half-ruin J.J. Hanrahan’s career. It happens. From the organisation’s perspective, it’s important to minimise the damage and learn from it, but you can’t hope to avoid it forever.

Beyond the production and management of your own academy prospects, one of the places where there’s room for manoeuvre is in finding Irish-heritage players, be it in Europe or further afield.

Some impact of the bench but Hendy has been excellent for Ulster and Ireland so think that's harsh.

Toner and Ryan have both been excellent too. I would have picked Hendo but it's close enough.

Hendie definitely brings more off the bench than Toner.

Henderson could be saving himself for a huge 80mins vs England.

At the RWC he really struggled with fatique, was out on his feet in the QF

Joe has always played "mix and match" since his first season at Leinster. He mightn't have had the player resources to do it so blatently until this season, but it is no judgement on the players rotated. He just uses different payers for different jobs.

Over 30's - these guys need to be first 23 players due to experience and we have 1 thirty-something who matches that, Best.26-29 - says these are the years the academy or Ulster f**ked up bringing no one through really. Should be players in or approaching peak and again making the first 23. He said there were 2 guys. I assume one is Marshall. Dont know who else.

Over 30's - these guys need to be first 23 players due to experience and we have 1 thirty-something who matches that, Best.26-29 - says these are the years the academy or Ulster f**ked up bringing no one through really. Should be players in or approaching peak and again making the first 23. He said there were 2 guys. I assume one is Marshall. Dont know who else.

So let’s talk possible back line replacements/injury subs and permutations/combos:

Murray off- straight swop for Marmion.

Sexton off- straight swop for Joey.

Aki off- tricky, no direct sub or same type of player. Possibilities- Sexton to 12, Joey on at 10. Second playmaker on pitch. Stockdale to centre with Ringrose, Larmour on wing. (Who plays 12/13?)Larmour to 13 (he says it’s his favourite position), Ringrose to 12. (A waste of Ringrose?)

Kearney off- all 30 players open up a beer. But seriously:Joey on. Second playmaker and broken field runner. Larmour on. Red panty night.

I hate to disillusion you but if Ringrose or Aki go down I’m fairly sure Earls will go straight to 13, which nobody wants to see, but there is no way Joe is going to trust Stockdale in one of the most important and most difficult defensive positions on the park.

Am I crazy for thinking that Wayne Barnes reffing tomorrow might actually suit Ireland more than Scotland? Discounting the fact that Wayne can change his mind at half time about what laws he is going to enforce/ignore and the fact that Ireland have a very poor record with him:

1. Scotland don’t have a great record with him either2. Barnes usually favours the side who get over the gainline. He doesn’t allow much of a contest on the deck. (That is until he changes his mind)

Barnes sets out his stall early. He’s pedantic about tacklers rolling away and calls ruck as soon as a tackle is made. If Ireland can get our big runners going early I can see Scotland coughing up some penalties.